007 First Light Hands-On: Why James Bond’s Comeback Could Be Gaming’s Next Big Thing

I felt my heart skip a beat when I first strapped on the demo headset at Gamescom 2025. More than ten years have passed since GoldenEye 007 defined spy-thrillers on consoles, and here comes IO Interactive—yes, the HITMAN wizards—ready to give 007 a second life. Does it live up to the mounting buzz? In one word: probably. But it’s the kind of “probably” that makes you punch the air in excitement.

A Fresh Take on a Legend

You know that pulse-quickening sense you get when Bond’s theme swells? 007 First Light captures it without feeling like a stale remix. Here, Bond is still wet behind the ears—impulsive, hungry, raw. That young-agent vibe means he screws up sometimes, but it’s oddly endearing. He isn’t the unflappable icon we know yet; he’s fumbling with his instincts, fumbling with a world that chews up rookies. And that uncertainty? It’s electric.

Play as the nascent James Bond and you’re thrown into a chase after a rogue ex-agent. There’s a grudging respect there—this antagonist has decades of field scars that you don’t. Do you confront him head-on, or tail him through the neon-soaked streets of Berlin? Choices matter and they feel weighty, because Bond is still learning what it means to be a spy.

Highlights at a Glance

• Improvisational Thrills: No mandated path to objectives.
• Gadgets Galore: Everything from classic parsec disruptors to brand-new prototypes.
• Dynamic Combat: Mix up melee brawls with silent takedowns or long-range precision.
• Instinct Mode: A special vision that uncovers hidden routes when you’re stuck.

Yes, there’s a gadget for that—and another one just to mess with guards’ heads. Occasionally, I paused mid-demo to marvel at how IO Interactive finds fresh angles on spycraft. It isn’t just shoot-and-sneak; it’s shoot–think–reroute–repeat.

IO Interactive: A Match Made in 00 Heaven?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: reviving Bond is a Herculean task. The studio’s pedigree with Hitman gives me confidence—they know how to craft sandbox levels that reward curiosity and cunning. But Bond adds narrative expectations. You want spectacle without sacrificing the sly nods and winks that define the series. Based on my hands-on time, these devs are threading that needle with surprising finesse.

I noticed one moment: I was literally waiting in a parked Aston Martin for orders—classic Bond tableau—before forgetting protocol and diving into a frantic escape on foot. That split second of “oops” and adrenaline rush summed up the game’s promise. It’s unpolished in the best way, raw edges and all.

When Can You Get Your 00 License?
007 First Light launches March 27th, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and Epic. At $70 for the digital edition, the price tag is steep. High stakes, indeed—just like Bond himself. But if this demo is any indication, we might be looking at the best Bond game since the N64 era.

So, ready to suit up and see if Bond can outwit his past—and yours? Drop your thoughts below, share your theories on that rogue agent, or just brag about your most daring escape. And hey, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more insider peeks. After all, the game’s not over until the credits roll—and this one feels like it’s only just begun.

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